A son of Libyan leader Moammar Gaddafi has been freed by Swiss police after posting bail of SFr500,000 ($490,000). He had been accused of assaulting two of his staff.

Motassim Bilal Gaddafi, also known as Hannibal Gaddafi, was arrested at the five-star Hotel President Wilson on Tuesday after two of his servants accused him of hitting them, his lawyer Robert Assaël told the Swiss News Agency on Thursday.

Geneva magistrate Michel-Alexandre Graber had charged Gaddafi, 32, with inflicting physical injuries and using threats and force against the two, a Tunisian and a Moroccan, who lodged a formal complaint on Saturday.

The same charges were also been brought against Gaddafi's nine-month pregnant wife, who had to be hospitalised during police questioning.

The servants had a medical certificate which proved their injuries, but the couple denied having inflicted them, Assaël said.

Two of Gaddafi's bodyguards were also taken in by police for resisting arrest on Tuesday.

A hearing involving the different parties took place at the Palais de Justice courthouse at midday on Thursday.

Gaddafi and his wife travelled to Geneva on July 5 for the birth of their child.

The Swiss foreign ministry has refused to comment on the matter.

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